Brexit Secretary David Davis will go head to head with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier as landmark EU divorce talks kick off

BRITAIN is seeking a “deal like no other in history” as our landmark EU divorce talks finally get under way today, Brexit boss David Davis declared.

A year after the referendum, he has travelled to Brussels for the opening of negotiations.

He will go head to head with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier for the first time in a day of discussions.

The opening skirmish is set to cover the status of expats, the “divorce bill” slapped on us by the EU and what to do about the Northern Ireland border.

Mr Davis - who has been tipped as the front runner to take over as Conservative party leader - said he would hammer out a “bold and ambitious deal” for the UK.

He added: “While there is a long road ahead, our destination is clear — a deep and special partnership between the UK and the EU. A deal like no other in history. I look forward to beginning work on that new future.”

He spoke as his former deputy warned any watering down on our Brexit position would be a betrayal of Brits.

David Jones, sacked as Brexit minister by PM Theresa May last week, wrote there would be “a whirlwind of public anger” if “Brexit does not mean Brexit”.

But splits already emerged in the Government’s position as Chancellor Philip Hammond hinted border controls should play second fiddle to skills and jobs in Britain. Mr Hammond also warned about failing to get a Brexit deal.

Mrs May has repeatedly insisted the Government is prepared to walk away from talks, claiming no deal is better than a bad deal.

The Chancellor said: “No deal would be a very, very bad outcome for Britain, but there is a possible worse outcome and that is a deal that is deliberately structured to suck the lifeblood out of our economy over a period of time.”

Mr Davis said: “As I head to Brussels to open official talks to leave the EU, there should be no doubt — we are leaving the European Union and delivering on that historic referendum result.

“Now the hard work begins. We must secure a deal that works for all parts of the United Kingdom, and enables us to become a truly global Britain.

“Leaving gives us the opportunity to forge a bright new future for the UK — one where we are free to control our borders, pass our own laws and do what independent sovereign countries do.”

Now the hard work begins. We must secure a deal that works for all parts of the United Kingdom, and enables us to become a truly global Britain

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

The opening meeting’s agenda was agreed after preparatory “talks about talks”.

Mr Davis warned: “These talks will be difficult at points but we will be approaching them in a constructive way.”